The rumors with toronto are interesting, but I'd still rather have gasol.

He's been injured and takes a bunch of jumpshots in this offense. Just this summer, he was a dominant player even against the US team when he plays closer to the basket.

He's had a shooting slump and he takes less shots, but I'd expect his shooting % to increase. Even when he doesn't score much, he makes for a good facilitator in this offense. It's interesting to note, that when bickerstaff was the coach, gasol had some good numbers. Dantoni just needs to find a way to utilize him.

Also, nash and dantoni never had a stretch 4 during their time in phoenix other than kurt thomas for a brief period. So they don't need it to win.

Gasol is not THAT injured...just trying to protest against Pringles because he does not respect Pringles. Obviously he's not using Gasol correctly and just wants him to run up and down the floor to play as the 4th option. Lakers front office probably notices that too, so they leaked some trade rumors to get Gasol's act together. After this Gasol already said he'll try his best to fit in the Pringles system.

After all that, I just feel sorry for Gasol. If anyone watched his Olympics performance, you'll know what he's capable of.

Until Lakers get Phil Jackson back (which is never), I don't see Lakers winning anything...

Not a hater, I'm actually a hardcore Lakers fan that watched almost all their games for the past few years.

Even though Bynum is injured right now, I really think Bynum was a much better fit with the Lakers. Howard may be the best center in the league but Bynum was a better fit for the Lakers. The team was way more cohesive with Bynum on the floor vs Howard. The pick and roll was better, the defense was better. With Howard on the floor, the Lakers looks like a joke.

Even though Bynum is injured right now, I really think Bynum was a much better fit with the Lakers. Howard may be the best center in the league but Bynum was a better fit for the Lakers. The team was way more cohesive with Bynum on the floor vs Howard. The pick and roll was better, the defense was better. With Howard on the floor, the Lakers looks like a joke.

You have to give it time....and wait till Nash comes back. Bynum was with the Lakers for 7 years. Dwight, 20 games.

I never said 73-9 but I sure thought they were going to do great. They look like a$$. I don't even think Phil could get this thing going. They are past that. This about the players on the court, not the coaching. They are just flat lazy right now.

I don't believe it's laziness. We're all lazy without motivation. Lakers lack motivation right now because even themselves don't believe that Pringles can lift them up. There's a lot of frustration in the game right now and it's not from offensive side. Missing a shot is fine, but seeing the other team crashing the defensive boards and running to the other end for the fast break is very demotivating.

It all comes down to defense. Lakers are too old to keep up with fast breaks and general defending. What they need is a system to rely on. Unfortunately, Pringles do not offer one. Often you will see Lakers missing a possession and the last line of defense is no where close to the half court line. There's no one to run back for defense. It might take me a few nights to explain their flaws in defense so I'll just stop here.